How to check if visa genuine ?

[nskatcv]

Hi everybody,

Apparently, one of my acquaintance had been working with an agent to get a work permit for Canada. After all this while, now that the agent is supposedly in possession of the passport with visa on it, is asking for all the money to be paid upfront. My friend is in great doubt about the genuineness of the visa and would like to verify before handing over the payment.

What is the best way to check if his passport ever made it to the embassy and that a visa was issued for him ?

Would a phone call be enough or there is some other way to get this sorted out ? He was just 'shown' the visa (welcome to the world of agents) and doesn't have a copy, hence no numbers.

Thanks for any help that you can provide.

Regards

 

[scylla]

If he's paying money to the agent in exchange for a job - it's probably fake and a scam.

 

[nskatcv]

If he's paying money to the agent in exchange for a job - it's probably fake and a scam.

Thanks scylla for replying.

I understand that for regular procedures there shouldn't be any money exchange except for the fee involved.

But in our country here, it is a usual practice for agents to arrange work permits from some employer in Canada. Because the young men (intended as workers for these permits) have no idea, or connections to work directly with the employer, the agents then fix a lump sum payment to be paid when they are ready with the visa. The agents do get all the document copies, medicals etc done from these young men, and act as a liaison between the employer and the intended employees.

Regards,
Narinder

 

[nskatcv]

I think I didn't explain the case properly.

By saying that the agent asks money for work permit, I meant that he is also arranging for the job-offer. All in all, starting with locating an employer and a job offer, to the point of obtaining a work permit and subsequently the work visa, is the agent's work.

I have had the person contact the VFS center, but they need tracking number, or reference number, or file number. All these are with the agent, hence no luck.

Thanks